Romain Lavergne, fishing guide in Mequinenza in Spain

Discover the portrait of Romain Lavergne, fishing guide instructor in Mequinenza and specialist in predator fishing in Spain.

Ardent of his passion, Romain Lavergne has always been fishing. After having touched a little with all the peaches, he became a specialist in predator fishing with lures. In 2013, he became a fishing guide and now organizes fishing trips and courses in Mequinenza, Spain.

Hello Romain, before starting, could you briefly introduce yourself?

Of course ! Well listen, my name is Romain Lavergne, I am 31 years old and am from Aveyron in the south west of France where I grew up there until the age of 27. Then I twisted (laughs).

Where does your passion for fishing come from?

I can't really explain it… My grandfather says that at the age of two and a half / three years old, he found me with a branch between my hands in front of his pond, scrutinizing his goldfish. Then, by dint of seeing me stand for hours in front of his pelvis, he “finally” decided. Wanting to ensure my first outing, he had taken care to start a job for me beforehand with a few days of wheat training.

The first fish was not long in coming and I remember it like it was yesterday. A simple roach from over 27 years ago. The second touch left me there, stuck. “Grandpa” put a 55cm tench dry. I was barely 4 years old but without knowing it this fish had marked my life and a new page was opening.

Today, fishing for you is a way to…?

The Peach ?! Well I will try to shorten it because I like to talk and when I started on such a subject ...

Fishing, I want to tell you that it's really all my life, my reason for living, a way to exist and find my happiness every day. I had no choice but to make it my job. I live for fishing and it gives me a living at the same time.

What fishing techniques do you suggest?

All the techniques possible and imaginable with soft and hard lures on pikeperch, perch and bass. I also welcome fly flyers, but only for guidance on carp and bass stations. I will not teach them anything about the technique but about the approach to fish as well as their behavior on flies and streamers.

For those who do not yet know Mequinenza, can you tell us a little more about this mythical lake in Spain? What makes this place exceptional according to you?

Are there still people who don't know? !! No, I can't believe it (laughs). Mequinenza is above all a heavenly site. A change of scenery is guaranteed and only 3 hours from the border. You access one of the most fish-rich freshwater areas in the world in perch and pike-perch. In addition, here we have more than 300 days of sunshine a year ... So when you combine surroundings + climate + fish, the cocktail is quite “addictive”.

You also guide a lot on the Riba Roja lake. What is the difference with Mequinenza?

Yes, the two lakes complement each other really well. These are two totally different profiles but which allow you to carry out almost all fishing and that matters! I also guide on another lake and the Ebro river. These 4 zones allow me to cover more than 250 km in length on the water, without counting the coves, and to adapt as well as possible to the most productive zone of the moment.

Species are plentiful in these two lakes and in record sizes, right? 

Yes we have very big fish and this year 2018 is indeed for me the year of zander records after 11 years of non-stop stalking in these waters. He has so far ridden 63 pike perch 70+ on the boat with the lunker set at 93.2cm. The bar of the hundred fish over 70cm is widely playable this year and it would be a real achievement for Profishing-concept! We will therefore work hard for this goal!

But during the day it is quite possible to catch perch, black bass, catfish, carp with sometimes some nice surprises like a big rudd, a crucian, an eel or even a mullet. And it's real life!

So what is your view on fishing in France compared to Spain? What are the big differences between these two countries?

France is, I think, an example for fishing throughout Europe with ethics and regulations that promote fishing and respect for fish. Even if everyone is not always satisfied with the instances, I can tell you that there are much worse elsewhere.

The major problem that persists is really the lack of fish throughout the territory. I think we have to work on more re-stocking pike and bass in particular as well as ensuring maximum reproduction management. I am obviously talking about large environments: lakes, rivers and streams. Fishing in France must remain open to all by promoting the public and not be privatized in puddles of the “fishery” type.

Fishing in France is however moving in the right direction and in the long term it will end up bearing fruit with better water quality, more fish and also a more dynamic image of our passion!

Spain is not quite managed in the same way, it is sometimes even catastrophic. Quite a bit behind on that but despite everything the incredible fish populations and the huge playgrounds are really worth the detour.

Why did you decide to become a fishing guide

Because I don't know how to do anything else, it was surely my destiny.

What appeals to you the most today in your job as a fishing guide?

The first is to share an experience with each guest during their stay. The second is to see the evolution of the level, the progression of my clients over the days. And the third is to make them touch beautiful fish in a pretty crazy atmosphere.

What are the qualities to be a good guide according to you?

Uff, then tia the good guide and the bad guide ... No more seriously, you need a very good knowledge of the behavior of the fish in each area, a good level of fishing, general equipment that holds up, therefore a big investment and a big maintenance. Good customer contact, good adaptability and we are not bad.

What is your type of clientele? What are they looking for behind your offers?

I welcome all types of clients, young people aged 20-25, father and son, couples, retirees. Mainly French but also Belgian, Swiss and soon English and Italian. Expectations are just as varied as the type of clientele but they come above all on vacation so to have fun on the water and have a good time, if possible unforgettable moments.

Then it's up to me.

How could Rodmaps help you in your guiding activity?

Rodmaps is a very interesting platform for me because it will allow me to extend my field of visibility and to inform the public a little more about my “Profishing-concept” structure.

Do you have any future projects you would like to tell us about (new guidance services, competition, association, travel, other?)

Not at the moment no, I am really focusing on the present, trying to improve my performances even further. I will not stop there for sure, but everything in its time hehe.

What is your best fishing memory?

Oulaaa, there are so many ... impossible to choose there sorry. On the other hand, the memories which marked me the most, it is I think during my childhood when I really discovered what fishing could bring me. Through countless days spent alone delivered to myself facing the Aveyron river. Inexpressible emotions in communion with nature and the water that fishing brought me. The click of a long adventure.

What is also your fondest memory as a guide?

See a father and his child hug on my boat thanks to me.

A message to pass?

Long live fishing! Vamooos